‘Dream could die tomorrow’: Why Jordan Petaia refuses to lose focus on NFL switch

Wallaby turned LA Charger Jordan Petaia has vowed to leave ‘no stone unturned’ in his bid to become the next Aussie to break into the NFL. Plus, he opens up on his ‘starstruck’ coaches meeting.

JORDAN Petaia has vowed to “leave no stone unturned” as he bids to become the next Aussie to break through into the NFL.

The former Wallabies star is on a whirlwind trip back to Brisbane packing up his belongings before heading to Los Angeles, where he will call home for the foreseeable future after inking a three-year contract worth up to $6 million with the Chargers.

The 25-year-old, signed as a tight end, now has the mighty task of cracking the Chargers’ top 53-man roster to have a shot at playing in the NFL this year, and is not changing his approach after working through the International Pathway Program.

Jordan Petaia has signed with NFL team LA Chargers. Picture: Mia Jones/LA Chargers

“There were some good signs in camp and I was getting some good feedback with how I was travelling,” Petaia told Code Sports.

“But in my head I always went in with the mindset that tomorrow I could be going home. This dream could die tomorrow.

“Honestly, until I got to that visit - and still with the visit I went in not expecting to get a contract – so when they said ‘We want to sign you’ and offered me a contract, I was definitely emotional.”

And now the same attitude applies as he bids to join Super Bowl winner Jordan Mailata as an Australian NFL success story.

“It’s the same mindset as the IPP, I’m just head down, not worrying selection, that is months down the track,” Petaia said.

LA Chargers have signed Jordan Petaia a former Queensland Reds and Australian Rugby player. Picture: IG/ @jordanpetaia

“I’m just worried about doing my best every day and training hard, and you do what you can for your best foot. Whatever happens, happens.

“My mindset is to leave no stone unturned, and train harder.”

Petaia has already met with famed Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh.

“He’s a great guy, everyone in the building was awesome, really good people,” Petaia said.

“We just had chat that was brief and short and cool. He’s a great fella. Honestly, I was probably just a bit too starstruck since the crossover to say too much.”

Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers. Picture: RONALD MARTINEZ / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The first person Petaia thought of upon signing his NFL deal was his later father, Tielu.

“When I first started playing rugby, he was joking about the idea of having a crack at the NFL if an opportunity ever came,” Petaia said.

“I just remembered my dad and how he had the confidence in me to have a go.”

Petaia reconnected with his former Queensland Reds teammates last Saturday, attending their game against the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium where he celebrated Tate McDermott’s 100th Super Rugby cap.

The ink had barely dried on his Chargers contract last week before Petaia had to fly to Florida, where he had been based for three months as part of the IPP, where he collected his belongings before jetting back to Brisbane.

Petaia is packing up his gear while organising a US visa, and will be back on the plane this weekend to move into a beachside home in LA.

Jordan Petaia celebrates the 100th Super Rugby game of former Queensland Reds teammate Tate McDermott. Picture: Queensland Reds.

Petaia grew up a Kansas City Chiefs fan. Picture: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

While Petaia grew up a hardcore Kansas City Chiefs fan – and even met with them before signing with LA – he is now a bona fide Chargers man and could go head to head against the best tight end in the league, Travis Kelce.

“Learning the tight end position, it’s not just about watching what Travis has done, you’re a receiver too so I’ve watched tons of players, tight ends, receivers,” Petaia said.

“We have a great tight end coach at the Chargers (Andy Bischoff) and we’ve had a few chats. But I’m sure once I get back over there we will start working on a few things, I still have a lot to learn.”

Originally published as ‘Dream could die tomorrow’: Why Jordan Petaia refuses to lose focus on NFL switch